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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 361 records · Page 20

Redundancy management of multiple inertial systems for Space Shuttle.

Failure detection and isolation techniques are developed for application to off-the-shelf type four-gimbaled inertial measurement units such as the KT-70 or Carousel IV. By using simulated boost and entry shuttle trajectories with specific gimbaled IMU models, failure detection thresholds are developed based upon red-line life dependent requirements and warning thresholds are given within the red-line thresholds based upon expected worst case IMU performance. Using these trajectories, established trajectory thresholds, and multiple IMU models, various failure detection and isolation techniques are evaluated for application in both powered and unpowered flight phases. The adequacy of off-the-shelf systems for both attitude and velocity detection methods is evaluated and recommendations for shuttle application are made.

Dove, D. W.↗

Ascent control analysis for S-II derivative launch vehicles, digital computer program

Model is used for analysis of the six degrees-of-freedom dynamics of general launch vehicle during atmospheric boost. Equations of motion are developed for rigid body and flat earth. Case may be started at any time beginning with ignition of stage and may be ended upon, or prior to, stage burnout. End of case may be at a specified time or based on propellant expended.

Andrews, P. D.↗

Manned space flight nuclear system safety. Volume 3: Reactor system preliminary nuclear safety analysis. Part 1: Reference Design Document (RDD)

The Reference Design Document, of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) - Reactor System provides the basic design and operations data used in the nuclear safety analysis of the Rector Power Module as applied to a Space Base program. A description of the power module systems, facilities, launch vehicle and mission operations, as defined in NASA Phase A Space Base studies is included. Each of two Zirconium Hydride Reactor Brayton power modules provides 50 kWe for the nominal 50 man Space Base. The INT-21 is the prime launch vehicle. Resupply to the 500 km orbit over the ten year mission is provided by the Space Shuttle. At the end of the power module lifetime (nominally five years), a reactor disposal system is deployed for boost into a 990 km high altitude (long decay time) earth orbit.

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Aerospace vehicle synthesis program

A modified version of the Aerospace Vehicle Synthesis Program (VSP) to simulate a space shuttle on the computer is presented. The effects of various changes such as payload weight, and orbital velocity can be determined along with minimum costs in vehicle design. The program logic, and weight estimating equations are discussed, and an example case of a solid propellant boosted, drop tank orbiter is included to indicate the type of results produced by the VSP.

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Synchronous meteorological satellite system description document, volume 3

The structural design, analysis, and mechanical integration of the synchronous meteorological satellite system are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) spacecraft configuration, (2) structural design, (3) static load tests, (4) fixed base sinusoidal vibration survey, (5) flight configuration sinusoidal vibration tests, (6) spacecraft acoustic test, and (7) separation and shock test. Descriptions of the auxiliary propulsion subsystem, the apogee boost motor, communications system, and thermal control subsystem are included.

Pipkin, F. B.↗

Cryogenic insulation development

Multilayer insulations for long term cryogenic storage are described. The development effort resulted in an insulation concept using lightweight radiation shields, separated by low conductive Dacron fiber tufts. The insulation is usually referred to as Superfloc. The fiber tufts are arranged in a triangular pattern and stand about .040 in. above the radiation shield base. Thermal and structural evaluation of Superfloc indicated that this material is a strong candidate for the development of high performance thermal protection systems because of its high strength, purge gas evacuation capability during boost, its density control and easy application to a tank.

Leonhard, K. E.↗

Balloon launched decelerator test program: Post-test test report

Balloon Launched Decelerator Test (BLDT) flights were conducted during the summer of 1972 over the White Sands Missile Range. The purpose of these tests was to qualify the Viking disk-gap band parachute system behind a full-scale simulator of the Viking Entry Vehicle over the maximum range of entry conditions anticipated in the Viking '75 soft landing on Mars. Test concerns centered on the ability of a minimum weight parachute system to operate without structural damage in the turbulent wake of the blunt-body entry vehicle (140 deg, 11.5 diameter cone). This is the first known instance of parachute operation at supersonic speeds in the wake of such a large blunt body. The flight tests utilized the largest successful balloon-payload weight combination known to get to high altitude (120kft) where rocket engines were employed to boost the test vehicle to supersonic speeds and dynamic pressures simulating the range of conditions on Mars.

Dickinson, D.↗

Rationale for windshield glass system specification requirements for shuttle orbiter

A preliminary procurement specification for the space shuttle orbiter windshield pane, and some of the design considerations and rationale leading to its development are presented. The windshield designer is given the necessary methods and procedures for assuring glass pane structural integrity by proof test. These methods and procedures are fully developed for annealed and thermally tempered aluminosilicate, borosilicate, and soda lime glass and for annealed fused silica. Application of the method to chemically tempered glass is considered. Other considerations are vision requirements, protection against bird impact, hail, frost, rain, and meteoroids. The functional requirements of the windshield system during landing, ferrying, boost, space flight, and entry are included.

Hayashida, K.↗

Space shuttle orbiter windshield system design and test

The development and testing of primary structural elements that are necessary to design a windshield system for the space shuttle orbiter are summarized. The elements include the outer (heat shield) panes, the inner pressure panes, the seals for both panes, and components of both window frames. One test article representing a pressure pane, including frames and seals, was tested under two sets of conditions. One set represented 100 mission cycles with temperature and pressure typical of those exerted on the innermost pane of the three-pane window system, and the second set represented 100 mission cycles with temperature and pressure typical of those exerted on a middle pane. A second test article representing an outer (heat sheild) pane was tested to conditions of 120 entry cycles, which equates to 100 entry cycles plus sufficient fatigue on the pane to account for 100 boost cycles. All elements of the design survived the test conditions in good condition. Window system for the shuttle orbiter vehicle.

Hayashida, K.↗

Space shuttle low pressure auxiliary propulsion subsystem design definition: Design handbook

A detailed description of recommended low pressure auxiliary propulsion subsystems (APS) for a space shuttle orbiter and booster is presented. The APS designs are the product of a study to identify and evaluate APS concepts, and to perform in-depth design and performance analyses for the most attractive of these. Selected APS baselines use the main engine propellant tanks as low pressure gas accumulators. For the orbiter, propellants from separate liquid tanks are used for main engine tank resupply. Resupply propellants are first circulated through tubular, passive heat exchangers, where they are vaporized and superheated prior to injection into the main engine tanks. Warm propellant vapors from the main engine tanks are mixed with additional liquid propellants in a downstream liquid/vapor mixer and supplied to the engines at constant temperature and pressure (constant density). The booster APS requires no separate propellant storage, since propellant residuals, trapped in the main engine tanks following boost, are sufficient to meet APS propellant demands.

Bruns, A. E.↗

Failure management of multiple gimbal inertial systems for space shuttle

A failure detection and isolation technique for use with four gimbaled inertial measurement units (IMU) is presented. By using simulated boost and entry shuttle trajectories with specific gimbaled IMU models, failure detection thresholds are developed based on red-line life dependent requirements and warning thresholds within the red-line thresholds based on expected worst case IMU performance. Using these trajectories, established trajectory threshold, and multiple IMU models, various failure detection and isolation techniques are evaluated for application in both powered and unpowered flight phases. The adequacy of the systems for both attitude and velocity detection methods is evaluated and recommendations for space shuttle applications are made.

Dove, D. W.↗

Pogo suppression on space shuttle - early studies

Preliminary studies for pogo prevention on the shuttle vehicle are reported. The importance of the effect of oscillatory outflow from a hydroelastic tank is displayed in terms of excitation of normal modes for a structure containing that tank assuming its outlet is closed. Evaluation of an approximate propulsion frequency response at undamped feedline resonance reveals the conditions for which the contribution of tank outflow is destabilizing and also provides a criterion for identifying those structural modes which are of potential significance for system stability. Various finite-element and normal-mode models for hydraulic feedlines are evaluated relative to accuracy of admittances of a long line. A procedure is recommended for modeling a feed system to minimize the required number of second-order equations. Specific recommendations are made for the analytical estimation of pump cavitation compliance and a first estimate for the shuttle pumps is given. Weakness in past practices of pump testing are identified and a new three-phase program is proposed. Finally results of numerical studies on the early vehicle configuration are presented. It is concluded that an accumulator between the boost and main pump offers promise of higher effectiveness than one at the engine inlet.

Rubin, S.↗

NERVA 400E thrust train dynamic analysis

The natural frequencies and dynamic responses of the NERVA 400E engine thrust train were determined for nuclear space operations (NSO), and earth-orbital shuttle (EOS) during launch and boost conditions. For NSO, a mini-tank configuration was analyzed with the forward end of the upper truss assumed fixed at the stage/mini-tank interface. For EOS, both a mini-tank and an engine only configuration were analyzed for a specific engine assembly support (EAS) stiffness. For all cases the effect of the shield on dynamic response characteristics was determined by performing parallel analyses with and without the shield. Gimbaling loads were not generated as that effort was scheduled after the termination date. The analysis, while demonstrating the adequacy of the engine design, revealed serious deficiencies in the EAS. Responses at the unsupported ends of the engine are excessive. Responses at the nuclear subsystem interface appear acceptable. It is recommended that additional analysis and design effort be expended upon the EAS to ensure that all engine responses stay within reasonable bounds.

Vronay, D. F.↗

Prediction of fluctuating pressure environments associated with plume-induced separated flow fields

The separated flow environment induced by underexpanded rocket plumes during boost phase of rocket vehicles has been investigated. A simple semi-empirical model for predicting the extent of separation was developed. This model offers considerable computational economy as compared to other schemes reported in the literature, and has been shown to be in good agreement with limited flight data. The unsteady pressure field in plume-induced separated regions was investigated. It was found that fluctuations differed from those for a rigid flare only at low frequencies. The major difference between plume-induced separation and flare-induced separation was shown to be an increase in shock oscillation distance for the plume case. The prediction schemes were applied to PRR shuttle launch configuration. It was found that fluctuating pressures from plume-induced separation are not as severe as for other fluctuating environments at the critical flight condition of maximum dynamic pressure.

Plotkin, K. J.↗

Integrated Digital Flight Control System for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

The objectives of the integrated digital flight control system (DFCS) is to provide rotational and translational control of the space shuttle orbiter in all phases of flight: from launch ascent through orbit to entry and touchdown, and during powered horizontal flights. The program provides a versatile control system structure while maintaining uniform communications with other programs, sensors, and control effectors by using an executive routine/functional subroutine format. The program reads all external variables at a single point, copies them into its dedicated storage, and then calls the required subroutines in the proper sequence. As a result, the flight control program is largely independent of other programs in the computer complex and is equally insensitive to characteristics of the processor configuration. The integrated structure is described of the control system and the DFCS executive routine which embodies that structure. The input and output, including jet selection are included. Specific estimation and control algorithm are shown for the various mission phases: cruise (including horizontal powered flight), entry, on-orbit, and boost. Attitude maneuver routines that interface with the DFCS are included.

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Space shuttle guidance, navigation, and control design equations. Volume 3: Guidance

Space shuttle guidance, navigation, and control design equations are presented. The space-shuttle mission includes three relatively distinct guidance phases which are discussed; atmospheric boost, which is characterized by an adaptive guidance law; extra-atmospheric activities; and re-entry activities, where aerodynamic surfaces are the principal effectors. Guidance tasks include pre-maneuver targeting and powered flight guidance, where powered flight is defined to include the application of aerodynamic forces as well as thruster forces. A flow chart which follows guidance activities throughout the mission from the pre-launch phase through touchdown is presented. The main guidance programs and subroutines used in each phase of a typical rendezvous mission are listed. Detailed software requirements are also presented.

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Unsteady aerodynamic analysis of space shuttle vehicles. Part 1: Summary report

An analysis of the unsteady aerodynamics of space shuttle vehicles was performed. The results show that slender wing theory can be modified to give the potential flow static and dynamic characteristics over a large Mach number range from M = 0 to M 1. A semi-empirical analytic approximation is derived for the loads induced by the leading edge vortex; and it is shown that the developed analytic technique gives good prediction of experimentally determined steady and unsteady delta wing aerodynamics, including the effects of leading edge roundness. At supersonic speeds, attached leading edge flow is established and shock-induced flow separation effects become of concern. Analysis of experimental results for a variety of boost configurations led to a definition of the main features of the flow interference effects between orbiter (delta wing) and booster. The effects of control deflection on the unsteady aerodynamics of the delta-wing orbiter were also evaluated.

Ericsson, L. E.↗

Space science plans for the shuttle era.

Three separate and distinct modes of using the space shuttle system have been identified. These modes include the boost of a spacecraft plus one or more propulsion stages into earth orbit or parking orbit, the establishment and maintenance of automated observatories in space, and the support of exploratory research and instrument development. Studies show that approximately 60% of all planned NASA missions require a shuttle third stage. Illustrations are presented to show how the largest spacecraft, Viking, and its propulsion system, Centaur, and a communications satellite, with an Agena stage to place it into a geostationary orbit, would fit into the shuttle. Results of the NASA Shuttle Sortie Workshop studies are discussed together with prospects of European cooperation in future workshop experiments.

Naugle, J. E.↗